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Author: Post Staff
Power district reports false alarm at Nebraska nuclear plant
BROWNVILLE, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Public Power District says an alert system problem caused several sirens to unnecessarily sound near the district’s nuclear power plant near Brownville in southeast Nebraska.
The sirens went off around 8:15 a.m. Tuesday at Cooper Nuclear Station. The district said in a news release that there was no problem at the plant that required activation of the sirens.
The false alarm is being investigated. District spokesman Mark Becker says the incident is being reported to federal regulators as well.
Nebraska man sentence for failing to register as sex offender
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Cordeus Lamont Rainey, age 38, was sentenced in federal court Monday, in Omaha, Nebraska, for one count of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender in violation of the Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (“SORNA”). The Honorable Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Rainey to 21 months of imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After completing his term of imprisonment, Rainey will begin a five-year term of supervised release.
On about June 25, 2002, Rainey was convicted in Kansas of Attempted Aggravated Indecent Solicitation of a Child. Based upon Rainey’s conviction, he was required to register as a sex offender for life in Kansas and he was subject to the reporting requirements of SORNA. Beginning about March 31, 2017, to on or about August 20, 2018, Rainey was living and working in Nebraska. Rainey had never registered as a sex offender in Nebraska.
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the Columbus Police Department.
Woman who stole from daycare gets probation, jail time
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) – A woman accused of stealing more than $30,000 from a North Platte daycare has been sentenced to probation and some jail time.
Lincoln County District Court records say 44-year-old Michelle Seidler was given five years of probation at her sentencing Monday and 90 days in jail. She was credited with 47 days already served. The judge ordered Seidler to make restitution payments of $250 a month throughout her probation.
She’d pleaded no contest in March to a felony theft charge.
Police say she was named director of Kids Academy in August 2016. Police received reports of theft in April last year. An affidavit in support of her arrest says she overbilled the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services more than $10,000 for daycare fees and diverted more than $30,000 from Kids Academy for her personal use.
Lincoln lawyer charged with theft from clients
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – A Lincoln attorney has been accused of keeping $27,500 in insurance checks intended for two clients.
Lancaster County Court records say 43-year-old Craig Hoffman is charged with two felony counts of theft. The records don’t list the name of a lawyer who could comment for him. Hoffman’s next court hearing is scheduled for June 24.
Officer Luke Bonkiewicz says two Lincoln residents say Hoffman hadn’t turned over settlement payments to them from insurance companies. Both dated to 2017.
Family camp set for June 21-23 at Bridgeport, Wildcat Hills SRAs
LINCOLN, Neb. – Kick off the summer enjoying the outdoors with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at a Becoming an Outdoors-Family Camp. The camp will be held June 21-23 at Bridgeport State Recreation Area and Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.
This program is provided to families who are new to camping and the outdoors. With the expert guidance of instructors, families will learn how to fish, camp, kayak, and cook outdoors in a relaxed and safe environment
All food will be provided, as well as fishing, kayaking and shooting equipment. Participants will bring their own tent and camping supplies. Some loaner tents will be available.
Download the registration form at outdoornebraska.gov/bof/. Call Christy Christiansen at 402-471-5547 for more information.
Game and Parks to host ‘Family Fishing Night’ at Birdwood Lake
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will be hosting a family fishing event on Friday, June 7 at Birdwood Lake Wildlife Management Area from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Look for the Game and Parks colorful fishing trailer.
Family fishing nights are a Nebraska Game and Parks program designed to help make family fishing adventures possible and rewarding. The events are free and loaner fishing equipment, bait and staff will be on hand to assist those of all ages learn the basics of this fun and relaxing activity. Everyone is invited regardless of age or skill. Those 16 years and older wanting to fish will need a valid fishing license.
Birdwood is the first Interstate-80 lake west of North Platte. To get to the lake, take Walker Road west then go north on Homestead Road.
Nebraska man sentenced for receiving child pornography
United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced that Mark Ringland, 53, was sentenced on Monday, June 3, 2019, to 168 months in federal prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release by Senior U.S. District Judge Laurie Smith-Camp in Omaha. A jury convicted Ringland of Receiving Child Pornography after a two-day trial that took place in February. There is no parole in the federal system.
Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation Task Force received information in the spring of 2017 from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, that a specific email address was receiving child pornography. The investigators were able to determine that it was Ringland’s email. He was arrested on September 1, 2017, and had a cell phone and iPad in his possession. The investigators seized both devices for which they had an authorized search warrant. Searches were done and investigators located more than 900 images of what they believed to be child pornography between the two devices. It was determined that at least one of the images was received by Ringland between April 1, 2017 and September 1, 2017. On the date of his arrest Ringland told the investigators he downloaded child pornography as a “pill for pedophilia,” that is, he looked at the images so that he would not act out himself on children. At his sentencing hearing he blamed Google for providing a forum for child pornography to exist. He claimed to be searching for the images so he could report to Congress they need to change laws with respect to child pornographic content.
This case was investigated by the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force, including members from the FBI, Nebraska State Patrol, and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Application period for big game draw permits begins June 10
LINCOLN, Neb. – Hunters may begin applying for 2019 big game draw permits June 10. Residents and nonresidents may apply for one deer permit, residents may apply for one elk permit, and residents and eligible landowners may apply for one antelope permit.
The application period begins at 1 p.m. Central Time (CT) on June 10. Paper applications must be received by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission by 5 p.m. CT – or by 11:59 p.m. for online applications – on June 28.
Only a nonrefundable application fee is due at the time of application. Drawing results will be available by July 5. Successful applicants will have until July 19 to complete the purchase of their awarded permits. Awarded but unpaid permits will result in applicants losing preference or bonus points and forfeiting the permit. Any forfeited draw permits, as well as unsold draw permits and buy-unit permits, will be sold over the counter on a first-come basis beginning Aug. 5.
Applicants who supply valid email addresses will be notified when the draw is complete. Applicants not providing valid email addresses will be responsible for monitoring their status online at OutdoorNebraska.org.
Applications may be made at OutdoorNebraska.org, via application form, or in person at a Game and Parks permitting office. Details regarding drawings and permits may be found in the 2019 Big Game Guide, which is available at outdoornebraska.gov/guides/ or wherever permits are sold. Drawing statistics from previous years may be found at outdoornebraska.gov/
Draw units are established to provide equal opportunity to obtain permits in those units. They are determined by the overall demand on a unit’s permits. Residents get preference over nonresidents when these permits are drawn.
Hastings man arrested for sexually explicit conduct
Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP) have arrested a Hastings man following the discovery of child pornography on a computer and cell phone.
On Friday, NSP was informed by the Grand Island Police Department that they had received a report of possible illegal activity involving a Hastings man. NSP Investigators continued the investigation in Hastings, finding thousands of images of child pornography on a computer, cell phone, and additional devices during a search of a home at 1201 E. 3rd Street in Hastings.
The suspect, Thomas Harlow, 52, was arrested Friday, May 31, for Sexually Explicit Conduct, a Class IIA Felony. He was lodged in Adams County Jail.
The investigation remains ongoing.